All Bangkok districts declared disaster areas amid heavy rain and flooding

All 50 districts of Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, have been declared disaster areas amid heavy rain and flooding, the Bangkok Post reported.

The weather has disrupted traffic and affected daily life across the city, with eastern Bangkok among the worst-hit areas. The declaration enables the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, state agencies and local administrations to respond more quickly and coordinate measures in affected areas.

Canal levels expected to rise

Residents were alerted through a cell broadcast that water levels in canals, which had already reached critical levels, were expected to rise further.

Thailand’s Meteorological Department attributed the unsettled weather to a strong low-pressure system over the lower Central Plains, Bangkok and neighbouring provinces. It also cited a strengthening southwest monsoon over the Andaman Sea, southern Thailand and the Gulf of Thailand.

Heavy rain is forecast across the country through Sunday, the department said on Saturday.

Flooding could ease if rain stops

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration said flood conditions could improve within six hours if no additional rain falls. Pumping stations were operating at full capacity, it added.

In some neighbourhoods, residents began panic-buying essential supplies amid concerns that the flooding could worsen.